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PDP Calls on President Buhari to Sign Electoral Act Amendment Bill into Law

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The National Assembly Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to swiftly sign the re-amended 2010 Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2022 into law. The Caucus, comprising members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the party, made the call during a meeting at the Senate wing of the National Assembly on Tuesday. Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe and Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Ndudi Elumelu were among those who emphasized the importance of the bill being signed without delay, citing its provisions for the credibility of the 2023 general elections.

Key Takeaways:

  • The PDP Caucus has appealed to President Buhari to sign the re-amended Electoral Act (Amendment) Bill 2022 into law without delay.
  • The Caucus criticized the All Progressives Congress (APC) for setting up a 133-member campaign committee, inclusive of 16 serving governors, for the forthcoming Area Councils Election in FCT.
  • Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe stated that the President has no excuse not to sign the bill, given the amendments made to address previous concerns.
  • Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Ndudi Elumelu alleged that APC governors are lobbying the President not to sign the bill.
  • The PDP has rejected the APC's use of 133 members, including 16 governors and 12 ministers, to campaign for the Area Councils Election in FCT, calling it an attempt to militarize the election.
  • The Clerk to the National Assembly, Olatunde Amos Ojo, transmitted authenticated copies of the Electoral Bill 2022 to President Buhari on Monday.
  • The Electoral Bill 2022 was reworked by the National Assembly and passed on January 25, 2022, after President Buhari withheld assent to the original Bill in November 2021.

Statistics:

  • 133-member campaign committee set up by APC for the Area Councils Election in FCT.
  • 16 serving governors included in the APC campaign committee.
  • 12 serving ministers included in the APC campaign committee.
  • 1 revised Electoral Bill transmitted to President Buhari on January 25, 2022.
  • 1 instance of President Buhari withholding assent to an electoral bill in November 2021.
  • 1 instance of the National Assembly Caucus of the PDP appealing to President Buhari to sign the Electoral Act Amendment Bill 2022.

Sources:

  • Senate Minority Leader Enyinnaya Abaribe.
  • Minority Leader of the House of Representatives Ndudi Elumelu.
  • Clerk to the National Assembly, Olatunde Amos Ojo.
  • The National Assembly Caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
  • The All Progressives Congress (APC).

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